[MLS PLAYOFFS: Chicago-Houston] The defending Eastern Conference champion Houston Dynamo moved into the semifinals of the conference playoffs with a 2-1 win at the Chicago Fire in Wednesday's play-in game. Will Bruin took advantage of some lax defending to score both goals for the Dynamo, which hosts Sporting Kansas City ... Read the whole story

[MLS PLAYOFFS: New York-D.C. United] In a conference call with reporters Wednesday afternoon, New York Red Bulls general manager Jerome de Bontin said that troublesome issues remain regarding hosting a playoff game at Red Bull Arena despite a switch of home dates with D.C. United. Read the whole story

[MLS SCHEDULE: Playoffs] The MLS playoffs continue Thursday when the Los Angeles Galaxy hosts the Vancouver Whitecaps, making their MLS playoff debut. With only one win in its last 10 games and a sub-.500 record, Vancouver will be a heavy underdog against the defending MLS champion. For the MLS playoff ... Read the whole story

[USA WOMEN'S HIRING] New U.S. women's national team coach Tom Sermanni says one of his goals to create greater competition within the national team. For what he said on Wednesday's media conference call ... Read the whole story

[AMERICANS ABROAD] Midweek was reserved for cup action across much of Europe. It took only two minutes for Oguchi Onyewu to score in his first start for Malaga in its 4-3 win over Cacereno in Spain's Copa del Rey. Clint Dempsey missed a penalty kick in stoppage time that would ... Read the whole story

[VIDEO PICK: Off the Post] Luke Varney somehow misses the target from a yard away, and his coach can laugh about it later, as Leeds went on to win this League Cup game against Southampton on Tuesday. Read the whole story

"There was only one team who came into the derby trying to play football. I thought we stood up to a team that are very similar to Stoke. Every single time they get the ball at the goalkeeper it comes
in long."-- Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard after last weekend's 2-2 tie with Everton. He later said "it wasn't my intention to disrespect Everton or Stoke." (Telegraph) ...More